Knowledge of nurses and incentive strategies for family participation in breastfeeding

This study sought to analyze the knowledge of nurses about the benefits of breastfeeding for the family and describe the inclusion of family involvement in health activities associated with breastfeeding. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted with 8 nurses in the municipality of Itapetinga in the state of Bahia in the first semester of 2014. Semi-structured interviews were used for data gathering and the thematic content analysis technique was used for processing the data. It was found that awareness of nurses about the benefits of breastfeeding for the family corresponds to the information released by the Ministry of Health and to the data found in the literature. This includes the promotion of maternal and child health and the strengthening of emotional bonds. It should be stressed that there was no mention about the advantages of breastfeeding as a natural method of family planning. With respect to family inclusion in breastfeeding, it was found that nurses use the actions of health education and puerperal and home visits as a strategy, emphasizing the trials and difficulties of a family nature. Health professionals should encourage this participation, in an attempt to work together with family members so that they feel active participants and recognize their importance in this process.